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John Botwright Coat-of-Arms
Artist Rendering of the John Botwright Coat-Of-ArmsThis graphic is an artist rendering of a coat-of-arms description sent to Robert Guy Boatright by the research department of the Boston Public Library. In their letter of transmittal, the library provided two sources:
(1) "History of the College of Corpus Christi in the University of Cambridge", by Robert Masters; p. 43.
(2) "Proceedings of Cambridge Antiquarian Society", p. 77.
...in which was found
the statement "Coat-of-Arms granted to John Botewright, D.D (Master of the College of Corpus
Christi) about 1443 by Henry VI".
The description was:
John Botwright Coat of Arms from the book: "History of the College of Corpus Christi in the University of Cambridge", by Robert Masters; p. 43. The book was published in 1753 and includes a chapter on each of the early masters of the college including John Botwright.
NOTE: "Botwright" is the old english spelling of "Boatwright".
The John Botwright Chapter in the book, "History of the College of Corpus Christi in the University of Cambridge", published in 1753; includes an illustration of the Coat of Arms and an illustration of the John Botwright Tomb, located in the Church of St. Peter & St. Paul, Swaffham, Norfolk, England.
Notes from David Rains:
John Botwright, parents names not known, was born in 1400 in Norwich, Norfolk County, England.
John died in 1474 and is buried in the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul at Swaffham, Norfolk. It is not known that John Botwright, D.D., is an ancestor of the Boat(w)right's in America. It is not known if he ever married.
John had a fellowship at the University of Cambridge before the year 1430, which he
probably resigned upon being presented to the rectory of Swaffham Market in Norfolk
County by his patron, the Duke of Bedford.
From 1435 to 1474, John Botwright was rector of Swaffham, and compiled the Swaffham Black Book. This was an invaluable record of all the work done on the rebuilding of the church.
Among the monuments in the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul is an altar-tomb, with the effigy of John Botwright, D.D., who was master of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, chaplain to Henry VI., and vicar of this church, when it was rebuilt. His office, faith, and name are shewn by rebusses on four shields, - an hieroglyphical mode of expression which was practiced among the Greeks and Romans, and is mentioned in the time of Homer. The first of the four shields has three sacramental cups and wafers to represent his office and priesthood; the second shield has the emblem of the Trinity to express his relationship to the College, it being a part of the arms belonging to it; a third shield bears three boats, or barges, and a fourth shield has three wimbles, or augurs, and is an allusion to his name.
John was unanimously chosen as Master of Corpus Christi College, University of Cambridge in 1443 during Feast of St. Mark the Evangelist after having been a "proctor" with the Master John Wolpit.
He was awarded the coat-of-arms about 1443 by King Henry VI when John was made Master of Corpus Christi College in which capacity served until his death in 1474.
John was made Chaplain to King Henry VI about 1447. Subsequently, King Henry VI presented John to Cannory in the church Clonfort in Ireland. John was an intimate friend of the King who gave him rich gifts and all the revenue of the tin and lead mines of Devon and Cornwall.
BY PERMISSION OF BRITISH HISTORY ONLINE:
Simon Blake, by will dated 10th December, 1487, a cup of silver gilt, to the church of Swaffham,
formerly Mr. John Botewright's, rector of that church. Source: Barrie Blake
last modified: November 24, 2009
URL: http://www.boatwrightgenealogy.com
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